Overview
Gap year students are considered as fully-enrolled members of the Academy’s student body, and have equal access to the Academy’s resources (library, computers, practice rooms etc).
This course is for you if you are about to complete your secondary school (High School) studies and either wish to spend a year at the Academy before taking up a full-time undergraduate programme of study at another institution, or if you would like to receive Academy training but do not require a full programme of study that leads to a degree.
The course principles are:
- To enable students to benefit from one year of conservatoire education
- To provide a tailor-made course of study according to the strengths and needs of each individual student
- To offer the same performance opportunities provided for degree students (with the approval of the Academic Tutor and Head of Programme)
- To offer appropriate academic subjects in consultation with the Academic Tutor and Head of Programme
- To assess practical and/or academic progress by examination
- To provide a transcript of studies showing completed modules (but no degree or other award)
Entry Requirements
- Performance/Composition: High standard of performing potential or composition, strong musicianship, and good aural skills.
- Music Exams: Formal exams are not required, but successful performers are typically at a Grade 8 Distinction level or higher.
- Music Theory: Grade 6 level knowledge is recommended before starting if you aren't taking school music exams.
- Keyboard Skills: No formal minimum required (unless it's your Principal Study), though Grade 5 piano is desirable to support general musicianship.
See Entry Requirements for full academic and international criteria.
Auditions
An audition at the Academy is not treated like a strict exam; we view it as a professional performance. Our expert panel is looking for your individual artistry, technical foundation, and future musical potential. We want you to feel relaxed, be yourself, and enjoy sharing your music with us.
Your Audition Repertoire
For your undergraduate audition, you must prepare a performance programme that demonstrates your technical capability and stylistic versatility.
Repertoire Guidelines:
- Two Contrasting Pieces: You must prepare two contrasting pieces of your own choice.
- Movements Permitted: A piece can be a single movement extracted from a larger work, such as a movement from a concerto, sonata, or suite.
- Accompaniment: Pieces must be performed with accompaniment, unless the work was specifically written to be performed as an unaccompanied solo item.
Technical & Practical Elements
During a live audition, you may also be asked to complete the following:
- Technical Exercises: You may be asked to play scales, arpeggios, and related technical exercises up to an ABRSM Grade 8 standard.
- Sight-Reading: You may be given a short sight-reading piece or a quick study test to assess your real-time reading skills.
What to Expect on Audition Day
1. Delivery Options
- In-Person (London): You will perform your prepared pieces live for our panel. The Academy provides a pool of professional accompanists for live auditions. Please keep in mind that highly complex accompaniments can be difficult to coordinate in the brief rehearsal time provided just before your slot.
- Video Auditions: You must upload your performance videos to the Acceptd portal. For candidates submitting a video, you must upload one unedited video of your complete programme.
2. Academic Interview & Aural Skills Assessment
All undergraduate candidates will have a subsequent interview with a member of our academic staff. This is a relaxed, conversational session to discuss your future study plans, musical tastes, and career aspirations.
During this session, you will discuss a short extract of music and complete an Aural Skills Assessment consisting of:
- Sight-singing a short test melody.
- Singing the middle notes in a played chord.
- Identification of musical intervals.
- Sight-reading of rhythms.
- Simultaneous polyrhythms: Sight-reading two different rhythms at the same time (singing one rhythm while clapping the other simultaneously).
Please note: Specimen tests are not issued in advance.
For more information see auditions.